Hose reel



Oct. 1l, 1932. F. J. RAYFIELD 1,881,952

HOSE REEL Filed April 12, 195o sneets-sheet 1 OCt. 11, 1932. l F...RAYHELD 1,881,952

v .HOSE REEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April l2, 1950 Oct. 1l, 1932. F J,RAYFIELD 1,881,952

HosE REEL Filed April 12, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Ill@ Patented Oct. 11V,1.932

i Seres.

MIEI? Nie-Ennemi: I. NAYFINLII, oF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, Assis-NON. ToCHAMPION rNnuMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY, or CHICAGO, ILLINOIs, ACORPORATION orv1 ILLINOIs HOSE REEL My invention relates to reels andCovers improved features of construction, arrangement an'dcperationwhich may be applied to advantage toreels in general, but which areparticularly adaptable, useful and etlicient in Connection with reelsfor winding up hose through which air under pressure is to be delivered,as, for example in garages or at filling stations for -inflating tires.

An important object ofv the invention is to utilize the limitedcompression of comparatively short spring structure for resisting theunwinding and controlling the rewinding of the hose,.in order that thepull On the hose by the reel may be uniform 'throughout the range ofoperation.

further object is to utilize comparatively short compression springstructure, togetherV with a train of reduction gearing between thespring structure, a long length `of hose can be accommodated and theresistant pull of the reel on the hose made uniform with onlyT a limiteddistance of compression of the spring structure.

Stillnanother object of the invention is to utilize the compressionspring structure for absorbing. Vthe recoil or final winding upAmovement of the hoseand eliminating the` taire-up of such recoil by theabutment of the hose against the reel framework-- Still anotherimportant object of the invention is to provide arrangement in whichonly a very small and simple adjustment inthe connection 'between thespring structure and the reduction gearingtrain will determine thelength of hose normally ,depending from the reel, so that the hose endmay normally be in position to be Conveniently reached when service isdesired.

Another object is to provide simple and' convenient means for accuratelyadjusting the spring tension.

The above enumerated features and other features of myinvention areincorporated in the structure `disclosed on the drawings, in whichdrawings: A

Figure l is an elevation of one side of `the reel with part of the reelframe broken away and the spring structure shown in section;

structure for 4the desired hose Figure l and 1930. serial 110.443,67?.

Figure 2 is an elevation of the other side of thereel structure;

Figure 3 structure; c f Y 'Y Figure l is enlarged section onplane lV--IVon Figure 3; y v i A Figure 5 is a section on plane V-fV'of is a frontelevation of the reel Figure 6 is anenlarged-sectionsimilarjto Figure 5and showing in 4deltailtheV connes.u

tion between the reel vand the supporting framework. l i l Thesupporting framed? for the reel structure comprises a hub -lO in whichone endof .a shaft 1l is rigidly secured as byga set-.screw l2, thisshaft journalling thereel ylt. The reel is formed of two discs 18 and'.1d' vof sheet metal which may be secured together vby spotwelding,riveting, or by means,- of'bolts 15,

shown. rlhe peripheral sectionswof these `discs are separated to'providethe annular trough or 'channel 16 in which a hose 17 `mayqbe wound, thechannel yhavinga widthV of sub,- stantially'the diameter of the hosetobe received. At the center of the reel the discsar'e cut away to leavethe OpeningflS aroundwhich opening a supporting casting or'plate 19isYsecured to the reel concentric therewith, as`

by means of bolts or rivets 19C] The flange Vor plate 19 has .the hub 20receiving the shaft .21 11., and the hollow cylindrical extension 2l onthe plate supports the hub 22 which also receives the shaftll, the hub22 having gear teeth'23. The two hubs 2O and, 22 journal the reelstructure on the shaft 1l 'and the lstruc- Vture is held onV theshaftandagainst] the frame F by a washer or'collar 24 secured to the outer endof the shaft; The extension 2l provides'the-oil Chamber 25to ,which theshaft llis exposed, and, as the reel structure is turned on the shaft,the bearingV surfaces will he kept thoroughlylubricated.` The oilreservoir may be replenished` through Aa .plugged opening 2,6. A

IThe supply line 27 for the. compressedy Connects into one 1end ofthehollow shaftdl'l, the other end of the shaftpbeing-connected with acoupling structure, as best shown inV Figure 6, which coupling structurecomprises a stem or nipple. 28 rthreading intoandseieu curedto ltheouter end of thel hollow shaft and having the bore 29 communicating withthe bore of the hollow shaft. Thenipple extends through the rear wall ofthe coupling body 3() which is held in place by the annular flange 31 onthe nipple. A plug or cap 32 has threaded engagement with the outer endof the body to form a closure therefor, and, between the plug andtheflange 31, is interposed a spring 33 which tends to 'hold the body 30against the inner side of the flange 31, a sea-ling washer 34 beinginterposed to seal this joint against the escape of air during relativerotation of the coupling structure and the shaft 11, VThe bore of thenipple 28 has the lateral outlet-"port 35 into the interior of the body30, the body being connected with the exterior by a fitting 36. Thisfitting is connected by a preferably metallic pipe 37 with the inner endof the hose 17 on the reel. Y i

VThe reel R has a perforation `38 through which extends the inner end ofthe hose which is secured to the reel as bymeans of a clip or bracket39A This projecting innerY end-of the hose is connected by the pipe 37 iwith the fittings 36 on coupling structure C.

As the reel isrotated during winding or unwinding of the hose, theconnection 37 will cause the coupling member C to rotate with the reelso that the compressed air will be delivered tor-the hose duringrotation of the reel. In order to eliminate shearing stresses Vinthefconnection 37,-it is preferably aA length `offlexible tubing, suchas copper tubing, and

isbent to extend spirally .from the end'of lthe hose tothe'fitting 36 sothat the rotation of the reel will be transmitted longitudinal- Vlythrough the pipe and thus eliminate shearing stresses.

A radial leg 40 extends diagonally from the frame F and its outer endsupports a guide shelf 41 on whichVa-re mounted a plu-V rality ofrollers 42 around the'opening 43V in the shelf through' which openingthe hose is drawn, the Yrollers forming Y anti-friction guides for thehose and also assisting in keeping the hose aligned relative to thereel. A. wire guide frame 44 extends upwardly from the shelf with itsend transversely in Vfront of the reel groove 16 to guide and keep the Yhose in the groove. The end of the hose is usually provided with a gripball 45 and a valve or outlet nozzle 46 of well-known construction Jforapplicationl to the valve stems of tires. Y

j The frame F has upwardly extending divergent legs 47 and 48 supportingat their outer ends a housing 49 extending tangentially relative to thereel-R.k At the opposite ends of this housing are the abutment thimbles50 and 51 which receive a rod-52. rlhe thimble 51 has a neck 53receiving the end of a lengthv of tubing 54 which extends concen- Ytricwith the rod 52. Surrounding this sleeve Yplug 59.

and the rod is the main coilspring r55 which abuts against the head ofthe thimble 51 at one end-and at its other end receivesand is aligned bythe neck 56 of the thimble 50` against which it abuts. Vilithin the tube54 is a lighter spring 57 encirclingV the'rod and abutting against Vthethimbles. Threading into the thimble 51`is a plug` 58 having theabutment head 59 for engagement-by the hook end 60 extending from thehub 61 offalever 'structure inthe form of a gear sector 62 which isfulcrumed on the shaft 63 supported at theupper end of the leg 48 of theframe F;

` The hooked end 64 of the rod 52 receives the terior of the housing.v`rlhe sleeve 65 atthe other end of the rod abut-s againstthe thimble 50,and, whenthe sleeve 65 is adjusted on the rod, the two springs will beput under more or less compression between the thimbles. The sleeve 65extends through the tubular plug GQ-threaded into the vopening in theend wall 71o'fthe spring housing, this plug being adjusted in accordancewith the adjustment of the sleeve 65 soas to be always y engaged by thethimble 50 when the reel 'is in normal position The bore of the plug 69is of sufficient diameter toreceive the head 66 of the sleeve 65. Y q fj i At the juncture ofthe legs 47 and 48is supported a shaft 72 on whichis journalled a transmission pinion 73 and-a gear 74 secured thereto.rihe gear 74 meshes with the teeth 23 on the hub 22 forming part of thereel supporting framework, vwhile the pinion 73 meshes with the sectorgear 62, this gearing forming a reduction train between the reel and thesector 62,- and, as the hook end 60 vis considerably shorter'than theradius of the sector 62, the movement of theprod 52 to compressthespring willbe very smallas com'paredwith the rotation of the reel Rand ythe length of the hose unwound therefroma Describing theoperation,the" sleeve 65 is adjusted so that the two springs are normally underinitial compression and thiscompression is exerted through the rod 52 onthe vhookend v60 of the sector 62 and through the transmission reductiontrain to the reel so rod 52 inwardly being vlimited by the'abuti that,normally, the reelwill beheld with the 4hose wound up thereon, themovement ofthe mentof the hook end 60 against the abutment i reel, thegrip ballv Y' rewinding operation.

which the plug extends.

such pull causinglthe'reelilt toV rotate, and thisrotationheingcommunicated through the reduction gearing and the sector 62 to thehoolrend' 60 whichV swings outwardly and r pulls `with it the rod Suchoutward pull of the rod is communicated through the sleeve fto'thethimbleV 50 andto the springs which are then compressed, suchcompression of the springs resisting the rotation ofthe-reel by the pullon the hose. Owing to the reduction and leverage connection between thereel and the rod 52, the compression movement of the springs will bevery-little as compared tothe length of hose unwound from the reel and,l

therefore, the springs will afford practically uniform resistance topull on Y the hose throughout the entire range of operation of the reel,i. e., whether the hoseis only partly unreeled or entirely unreeled.

During unreeling of the hose, the hook end 60 of the sector 62 iswithdrawn from the abutment plug 69. When the hose is released, thesprings will return to their normal position and the pull thereof isexerted through the reduction train on the reel. and the reel is Thereduction' rotated to wind up the hose. train offers more or lessresistance to such wind-up movement, but the rewinding movement may,nevertheless, vbe quite rapid, and unless checked and cushioned, theremight be considerable impact when theparts return to their normalpositions. It will be noted, however, that, as soon as the hook end 60on the sector 62 returns into engagement with the abutment plug 59, anymomentum acquired by the returning parts will be expendv apparent, thisplug being adjusted in accord-- ance with the adjustment of the sleeve65 so that, after the springs return to their normal compression, thethimble 50 will bein abutment with the plug 69 to take up the furthercompression of the springs under the impact pressure when the partsreturn during the By using the auxiliary spring 67, a lighter mainspring 55 may be used. TheV compression movement of the springs is verysmall compared to the length of the hose unwoundv from the reel, and,consequently, the springs can act most efficiently and willm'aintain apractically uniform resistance to the'unwinding of the reel, whetheronly a part or the entire length of hose is unwound. In prior structuresit is necessary to provide some abutment at the hose end for engagingwith a stop in order tocheclrthe'rewinding move ment of the reel andhose. This, of course,

puts considerable strainy on the'hose. With my improved arrangement, invwhich the springs function tojabsorb the impact atthe end oftherewinding movement, the hose remains'entirely free of any strain, and itwill always be accurately rewound on the reel.

The spring housing 49 is providedwith ears 75 by meansof which theentire, reell structure imay be supported upon .a suit-able wall orother support. Frequently the reel structure is supported froma'ceilingor some other overhead support. It is very desirable that'theend of the hose be at a sufficient dis-l tance above the floor so astoi-be out of the way,'but within .easypreach when its use is desired."In other words, depending upon the height of thesupport, the hose endshould project from Athe reel to within easy reaching distance: from thelioeri Such Alocating of the hose end iseasily establishedby adjusttobring the hose endwithin 'easy reach, the plug 59 is rotated to beshifted outwardly so that the return movementcf the sector 62 isshortened. If the height ofthe reel'is such that lessunwound hose lengthis necessary, i

the plug is turned te be shifted inwardly. -In

other words, the plug is adjustedto determine y the normal-,position ofthesector 62, so that, after the reel'has Ybeen rotated in rewindingdirection, it will `be stopped with the' desired length of unwound hosedepending therefrom. To facilitate adjustingof the plug 59, it isprovided with a plurality of radial holes 7 'fo-r insertion of asuitable instrument;`

`Adjustment of the plug 59 willv in 'nowise interfere with theoperationof the springs during unwinding and rewinding of the hose andAfor absorbing the shoclr of impacty of the returning parts.

f thus provide asimple, compact and elfivcient reel structure in whichthe spring structure exerts uniformpower at all times, and

which also acts to absorb theshockeffimpact 'of the returning partsandto relieve the hose of undue strain.v W ith my improved arrangement,a simple adjustment willV deter` mine the length of hose normally leftjunwound, so that, the hose endrwill alwaysbe ,Y withineasyreach fromthelfl0or.` i U ,4

. it isevident that the various features of mentof :the abutment plug59. When the reel 1 support is at such a Vheight thatk a greater lengthof hose must be'left unwound in ordery lino its

'iis

rio' f made without departing from the scope` andV f principles ofmyinvention. j

, I claim asfollows:

-lfln a reel lstructure,`t he combination o f a supportingfra-me, a reelrotatably mounted on said frame, a spring, a'connection between saidVspring'and ree-l whereby longitudinal movement of said spring will beaccompanied by ro'tationalmovement of said reel, said spring beingnormally compressed to hold saidV connection 'and reelin norma-lposition and to resist by further compression the unwinding rotation ofsaid reel, said. spring by its expansion acting through said connectionto'return the reel and connection to norma-l position when said reel isreleased after an unwinding movement thereof, and means whereby said.springwill act by compression to absorb the impact of the returningmovement of thev reel and Vconnection to normal position. Y

2. In a reel structure of the class'descri'bed, the combination of a.supporting frame, a reel rotatably mounted onk said Vframe, a helicalspring, connecting mechanism between said. spring yand reel, said springbeing normally Vcompressed in one direction` to-hold saidconnectingmechanism in normal position `to retain the reel in wound-upposition and resisting by further compression in'said direction theunwinding movement `of* said reel, and means' whereby said connectingmechanism when being returned to normal position by the expansion vofsaid spring will impact with and cause compression of said `spring-inthe. opposite direction whereby said spring will absorb the shook ofimpact.

3. In a reel structure, the combination of a supporting frame, areelrotatable on said frame for supporting a. member to be un'-l directionand return of the reel by the spring I upon release of saidmember willreturn said short leverarm into engagement with ,the

spring and said springA will'be compressed Illinois. l Y.

. FREDERICK J.v IELD.

have hereunto subi so' wound therefrom and rewound thereon when the reelis rotated, a spring structure, a connection between said springstructure and said reel, the force of'said spring structure yactingthroughsaid connection to hold said reel-,normally in wound-upy positionand to resist unwinding rotation thereof, an abutmenton said springstructure engaged by said connection when said reel is returned tonormal position" and means` whereby said springis distorted by suchvengagement to thereby absorby thel shock of impact thereon,

said abutment being adjustable whereby to limit the return movement ofsaid reel andV leave a desired length'of said member normally unwoundtherefrom.

4. In a reel structure of the class described,

the-coinbination of -a supporting frame, a

reel rotatably mounted on said frame and supporting a member to beunwound therefrom and to be rewound thereon, Ya compression springsupported on said frame., a connection between said spring andA sa-idreel including a lever fulcrumed on said frame and having ashortleverarmengaging with one end of said spring, a rod extending from said shortlever arm and having engagement .Y with the opposite vend of saidspring, whereby unwinding of said'member from said reel will causecompression of saidspring in one K

